How Much Does Instagram Pay for 1 Million Views?

Pop the champagne and cue the confetti! You’ve finally hit a million views on one of your videos on Instagram, and you feel like a star. After all that hard work, you’re getting the Instagram views and engagement rates you deserve. And you can’t forget about the money, either! Lots of views mean lots of revenue, right? But how much does Instagram pay for 1 million views anyway?

In this guide, we’re breaking down how Instagram pays content creators who break one million views on their videos. We’ll also let you in on other Instagram monetization methods and revenue streams you can maximize as a budding influencer. Let’s jump right into everything!

Does Instagram Pay You for Views?

According to Instagram, people all around the world play a total of over 140 billion Reels every day. That’s why coming out with Reels is a fantastic way to boost your visibility as a content creator. But can you make money on Instagram with those videos?

Yes, you definitely can make money on your Instagram Reels. But the payout scheme isn’t what you might think. Instagram doesn’t pay creators a flat fee for each view their videos get. Instead, the platform assesses which creators are doing well with their videos. Then, they’re invited to get a chance to earn money through all sorts of monetization programs on the platform.

How Much Does Instagram Pay for Reels?

Creators are paid for the success of their Reels through the Instagram Bonus program. In the program, select creators can earn money for “bonus” plays on their Reels.

The program is invite-only, but anyone from Kylie Jenner-level celebrity lifestyle influencers to micro-influencers has a shot at getting in.

The big issue influencers have with the Bonus program is that Instagram doesn’t explain what qualifies as a “bonus” play. All Instagram says they can make up to 30,000 per program period from bonus plays across 150 Reels.

The exact amount you can earn from Reels once you’re invited to the program is very up in the air. There are lots of mixed anecdotes about it online. For example, YouTuber Catherine Manning revealed she earns around $30 for over 300k bonus views on Instagram Reels. Meanwhile, in Reddit discussions, creators insist they earn upwards of $2,300 even with just 25k followers.

In a nutshell, Instagram does pay creators for well-performing viral Reels and other high-quality content. However, it doesn’t clearly explain how the payment is computed. Basically, you just have to wait and see how much money your Reels can get you based on Instagram’s payout.

So, How Much Does Instagram Pay for 1 Million Views?

You’d think that after getting one million views on Instagram, the platform gives you a hefty payout. But to reiterate, Instagram doesn’t pay per view, even if you have a successful Reel with millions of views. All you get is payments for “bonus” plays, which Instagram hasn’t defined all that clearly yet.

Our take on all this? Creators shouldn’t be so concerned about how much Instagram pays for 1 million views. Instead, think of how you can maximize your thriving presence on Instagram and create new revenue streams out of it.

For example, let’s say you have a bunch of videos that are breaching the one-million-view threshold. That’s a clear sign that you create the type of content that always resonates with your audience. So, use that to your advantage to pitch yourself to brands who can sponsor some of your posts. That can potentially earn you so much more money than the Bonus program!

Other Monetization Methods for Content Creators on Instagram

Thankfully, the arbitrary Instagram Bonus program isn’t the only source of income for creators on the platform. Want to maximize your earnings on Instagram until you’re swimming in cash? Here are other income streams you can earn from on the platform.

Brand Sponsorships

Brands pay big bucks to get influential creators to promote their products through valuable content. This is what’s called a brand collaboration or a sponsorship.

Essentially, brands will look for influencers whose fanbase aligns with their Instagram target audience. Then, they’ll reach out and offer to sponsor a post talking about their products or services. In return, the influencer gets paid (and sometimes even gets free stuff from the brand!).

If you want to get sponsored by brands, know that it’s not all about the aesthetic of your posts. It’s also about how good of a marketer you are. To get brand deals, ensure your engagement rates are high and that you have a solid relationship with your fans. Brands like to collab with influencers who have the charisma to sway and convince their audience to try their products.

Instagram Subscriptions

Another cool source of income for creators is Instagram Subscriptions. This in-app feature allows influencers to charge their fans a monthly fee to “subscribe” to exclusive content from them. It’s a strategic way to capitalize on your loyal fanbase while deepening your relationship with them even more.

You can do all sorts of bonus content for your fans. Consider coming out with day-in-the-life videos, behind-the-scenes bits, exclusive Q&As, and more. It will definitely make your most supportive fans feel super special! The best part? You can earn money from it all!

Instagram Gifts

Don’t feel comfortable asking fans to pay a fee for bonus content? Wait for them to send you Instagram Gifts instead!

Instagram Gifts is a feature on the platform that lets fans send virtual gifts to their favorite creators. They can buy these gifts through a digital in-app currency called “Stars.” Influencers can then convert those gifts into real money and cash them in.

Affiliate Marketing Programs

Last but not least, we’ve got affiliate Instagram programs. Brands will tap influencers to promote their physical or digital products on their social media platforms, like Instagram. Then, they might give these creators a unique affiliate link or referral code to share with their followers. The influencer gets a sales commission if their fans buy these physical products or services using that link or code.

Tips To Boost Your Chances of Monetizing on Instagram

Not everyone on Instagram can monetize their content willy-nilly—even if your videos do get a million views. Meticulous brand sponsors and Instagram’s invite-only programs handpick the influencers who get to make money out of their posts. So, only a select few get the privilege of making a living out of their passion for content creation.

Want to increase your chances of being able to monetize your content? There are tons of things you can do to up your chances of hitting the Instagram monetization jackpot! Here are some tips to help you do just that:

• Build a strong relationship with your fans: The more your followers love you, the more they’ll view and engage with your content. This can potentially boost bonus plays on your videos, helping you earn more money from them. It also tells brands that you can effectively convince them to try their products, improving your shot at landing sponsorships.
• Become an expert in your niche: Brands look for influencers that are strong and influential in their specific niche, whether it’s cooking, fitness, family content, etc. If you’re a thought leader in a specific topic, brands in that industry will be more likely to sponsor you.
• Churn out high-quality content with your target audience in mind: Videos are bound to be more successful if they’re relevant to your niche audience. Research your target market’s interests, struggles, pain points, and more. Then, create content hinged on that information.
• Leverage viral trends and challenges: People go crazy over viral trends! And if you make videos putting your own spin on them, they have a higher chance of becoming popular. And the more views you have, the more bonus plays you can potentially drive, leading to bonus payments.

Boost Your IG Views and Engagement With Plixi for More Earning Opportunities!

Instead of asking, “How much does Instagram pay for 1 million views?” pave your own path to success. If you know your videos are doing well, land brand deals and get affiliate marketing gigs. Ask fans for gifts and to sign up for Subscriptions. That way, you’ll rake in the dough and cash in big!

Need help making a name for yourself first? Plixi can help! We hunt down your target audience and engage with them on Instagram. This entices them to check out your page and reciprocate those interactions, boosting your views, engagement, and follower count. Thrive on Instagram with Plixi now!

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